Hat-box construction



ARK?) Feb. 23, 1960 M. I. BURG 2,925,950

HAT-BOX CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14, 1958 INVENTOR.

MICHAEL l. BURG TORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 M. BURG 2,925,950

HAT-BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed July 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MICHAEL l. BURG United States Patent Ofifice 2,925,950 Patented Feh. 23, 19 60 HAT-BOX CONSTRUCTION Michael I. Burg, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Modern Millinery Box Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Application July 14, 1958, Serial No. 748,411

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-45) This invention relates generally to containers, and is especially concerned with a container construction of the hat-box type.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and Which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally a polygonal container having a hinged lid or cover and including novel means for releasably retaining the cover in its closed condition.

:It is one object of the present invention to provide a container of the type described which includes a novel arrangement of flaps and locking tab adapted to automatically interengage upon closure of the cover, to efiectively: retain the cover closed, reinforce and rigidify the entire container structure, and be capable of quick and easy release for opening the cover.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved hat-box construction of the type described for use in conjunction with collapsible hat boxes, wherein the entire structure is capable of completely fiat collape for ease of handling and economy of space in storage and transit.

1 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple, durable and reliable, and which is capable of economical manufacture for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings: 1

.Figure 1 is a top perspective view illustrating a container constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the container cover in open condition;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the container of Figure l with the cover in closed condition;

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing another form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the form of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a partial sectional view along the line 7--7 of Figure 5, with the container open; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, with the container closed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the container there illustrated includes a bottom wall of equilateral polygonal or hexagonal configuration, generally designated 10, and an upstanding side wall'11 extending peripherally about the bottom wall. Hingedly connected to an upper region of the side wall 11 is a cover 12 of equilateral polygonal or hexagonal configuration substantially congruent to the bottom wall 10 and swingable between open and closed conditions as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, respectively.

The hexagonal bottom wall 10 may be provided with a bisecting crease or fold line 15 extending between a pair of opposed, distal points or side-edge junctures of the bottom wall, for a purpose appearing presently. The side wall 11 follows the outline configuration of the hexagonal bottom wall 10 to define a plurality of joined, upstanding panels extending respectively along the bottomwall edges. 1

More specifically, the generally rectangular, upstand-' ing panels constituting the peripheral-side wall 11 include a rear panel 16 extending along the rear side or edge of the bottom wall, a pair of rear side panels 17 respectively extending forward and laterally outward from opposite sides of the rear panel along respective rear side edges of the bottom wall, a pair of front side panels 18 each extending forward and laterally inward from the forward region of a respective panel 17 and along respective front side edges of the bottom wall, and a front-wall panel 19 extending laterally between the front regions of panels 18 along the front side edge of the bottom wall. The side-wall panels 16-19 are preferably hingedly connected together along their vertical intersections, as by vertical fold lines or creases, and may include a glue flap 20 on one panel 17 hingedly and adhesively secured to the adjacent panel 18. A handle flap or extension 21 may be provided on'the panel 18 adjacent to and extending outward beyond the adjacent panel 17 to facilitate manual carrying of the container.

' The bottom wall 10 is hingedly connected along its l rearward side edge to the lower edge of rear panel 16,

. els 16 and 19.

and hingedly connected along its front side edge to the lower edge of the front panel 19; and if desired, the bottom wall may be integral with and connected by a score line or fold to the lower edges of the rear and front pan- In addition, the bottom wall 10 is connected along its rear side edges to the rear side panels 17 by gussets 24, and similarly being connected along its front side edges to the front side panels 18 by gussets 25, only one of each of gussets 24 and 25 being visible in the drawing. By this construction, the bottom wall 10 is as along the connecting crease 28, to extend inward from the associated panel 18. While the hinged-flap connections or creases 28 of each flap 29 are substantially coextensive with the upper edge of the respective panel 18, the inner or free edge 30 of each flap is preferably longer than the hinged connection so that the opposite end portions 31 and 32 of each flap are located in position inward of and directly behind the panels 17 and 19, respectively. That is, the rear end portion 31 of each flap 29 is located behind the rear side panel 17,

' while the front end portion 32 of each flap 29 is located behind the front panel 19. Further, the rear end edge 33 may be straight, as illustrated, and located adjacent to and spaced inward from the inner surface of the panel 17, while thefront end edge 34 of the flap 29 may be I curved, and located in inwardly spaced relation with 3 i respect to the inner surface of the front panel 19. This, of course, may apply to both panel flaps 29.

The hexagonal equilateral-shaped cover 12 has one side edge hingedly connected to the upper edge of rear panel 16, as by an integral fold or crease 35 to connect the cover for swinging movement between the'open position of Figure 1 extending outward and rearward from the rear panel, and the closed position of Figures 2 and 3 extending inward and forward from the rear panel. In the closed-cover position, it will be observed that the side edges of the cover extend respectively along and in coextensive contiguity with the upper edges of the side wall panels.

Extending from the cover edges adjacent to the rear cover edge or fold line 35 and extending contiguously along the panel 17 in the closed-cover condition are a pair of cover flaps 36. Each of the cover flaps 36 is integrally connected to the cover 12 along itsrespective cover edge by a crease or fold line 37, and the flaps are bent to depend interiorly of the peripheral wall '11 each along and in facing engagement with the inner surface of the adjacent rear side panel 17. Each of the flaps 36 extends from approximately the adjacent juncture of fold lines 35 and 37, there being beveled along its end edge 38, and extends therefrom toward and terminates short of the next adjacent juncture of cover edges. That is, each of the cover flaps 36 terminates at an end fold or crease 39 remote from the end edge 38 and spaced inward from the adjacent cover edge junc-v ture 4t Extending from the crease or fold 39 of each flap 36, and normally resiliently biased angular-1y inward therefrom is a tab 41. The tab 41 may be considered as an end. extension of the adjacent flap 36, terminating at its free end proximate to the adjacent juncture or corner 40, free of the cover proper and resiliently biased to be normally disposed in inwardly extending angular relation with respect to its associated flap 36. As best seen in Figure 3, the lower edge of tab 41 is preferably curved, as at 42, extending smoothly from the lower edge of flap 36 and curving upward to the substantially straight upper edge 43 of the tab which is substantially coplanar with the fold line 37. I

Inaddition, on the cover edge remote from the fold line 35 is provided a flap 46 hingedly connected along the cover edge by a fold or crease 47. Thus, the fiap 46 is on the cover edge spaced from each of the fiaps 36 by a respective cover edge 48'. The flap 46 is normally bent along its fold line 47 to depend from the cover proper when the latter is closed for facing engagement with the inner surface of front panel 19. It will be observed that the flap 46 terminates at its opposite ends in end folds or creases 49 each located adjacent to and short of a respective end of the associated cover edge. That is, the flap 46 terminates at its opposite ends short of the adjacent corners or ends 50 of the cover edges 48. Extending from each end of the cover flap 46, hingedly connected to the latter by a respective fold or crease 49, is a tab 51. The tabs 51 are normally bent to extend in angulate relation with respect to and inward from the flap 46, being resiliently deflectable out of such relationship. As best seen in Figure 3, each tab 51 has its lower edge extending smoothly from the lower edge of the flap 46 and curving upward therefrom, as atv 52, terminating at its upper edge 53 which is substantially coplanar with the fold line 47.

In practice, the tabs 41 and'51 are bent inward along their respective creases 39 and 49 prior to closure of the cover 12, either during manufacture of the instant container, or during the setting-up operation thereon. In either case, permanent deflection or bendingv of the creases 39 and 49 is effected to position the tab's41 and 51 in their angularly inwardly extending relation with respect to their associated flaps, and enable their resilient deflection out of such angulate relation, say into coplanarity with their associated flaps. Of course, the

flaps 36 and 4 6, and their associated tabs 41 and 51, may all be swung into coplanar or otherwise substantially flat relation with respect to the cover proper; and, the entire cover may be disposed in flat relation with respect to the collapsed bottom and side walls 10 and 11, for collapse of the entire container to a minimum size.

In closure of the cover 12, the flaps 36 are initially guided interiorly of their respective panels 17, and the tabs 41 temporarily held in substantially coplanar relation with their respective flaps for entry between the proximate panel 17 and the adjacent flap edge 33. Upon full insertion of the flap 36 interiorly of its adjacent panel 17, the associated tab 41 is released for return to its inwardly angulate relation and automatic engagement of its upper edge 41 with the undersurface of the adjacent flap end portion 31.

The flap 46 is guided onto the inward side of panel 19, with its tabs 51 entering, between the latter panel and the flap end edges 34, the curved tab edges 52 cooperating with the curved flap edges to deflect the tabs from their inwardly angulate disposition, as may be required. Of course, the tabs 51 may be otherwise held in forwardly swung relation for entry between the panel 19 and flap edges 34. Immediately upon engagement of the tabs 51 downward beyond the adjacent flap end portions 32, the thus-deflected tabs return to their angulate inward relation having their straight upper edges 53 in engagement with the undersurfaces of the adjacent flap end portions 32.

As the cover proper is seated, or has its edge portions contiguous to the sides 48 seated on the upper surfaces of the .panel flaps 29, and as each adjacent pair of tabs 41 and 51 is engaged beneath the opposite end portions of a respective flap 29, it is apparent that inadvertent or accidental opening of the cover is effectively prohibited. Further, lateral or twisting movement of the cover 12 relative to the side wall 11 is de terred or limited by engagement of the ends of flaps 36 and 46 at the creases 39 and 49 with the end edges of the panel flaps 29. Hence, the container structure is substantially rigidified and reinforced by the hereinbefore-described interlocking closing relationship of the cover 12. i i

In order to open the cover and release the afore-described cover-retaining construction, it is only necessary to depress the panel flaps 29 downward, swinging the latter downward and toward their adjacent panels 18, whereupon the tabs 41 and 51 will be swung by camming action into substantially coplanar relation with their respective cover flaps 36 and 46, for quick and easy withdrawal of the tabs from between the panelflap end edges and the adjacent panels, and consequent opening movement of the cover 12 about the fold 35.

In the embodiment of Figures 4-8, the slightly modified container there illustrated includes a collapsible bottom wall 10a of hexagonal configuration, and an upstanding side wall 11a extending peripherally about the bottom wall. The bottom and side walls are collapsible in the same manner as discussed hereinbefore in connection with the first described embodiment. A hexagonal cover 12a, substantially congruent to the bottom wall 10a, is hingedly connected along one side edge to an upper region of the side wall 11a for swinging movement between the open and closed conditions of Figures 4 and 5.

e The side wall 11a is defined of a plurality of generally rectangular, upstanding panels hingedly connected together along their adjacent side edges, including a rear panel 16a, a pair of rear side panels 17a, a pair of front side panels 18a, and a front panel 19a. The side wall panels 16a, 17a, 18a and 19a may be hingedly connected along their vertical intersections, as by folds or. creases,.and may include glue flaps 20a each hingedly connected to the forward edge of a rear side panel 17a and adhesively secured to the contiguous region of the adjacent front side panel 18a. v

As thus far described, the embodiment of Figures 4-8 is substantially identical to that of Figures 1-3, the elements having similar character designations, with the suflix a in the instant embodiment.

By way of difference, each of the rear side panels 17a'is provided with a generally vertically elongate slot 60extending along and closely adjacent to its forward side edge or hinged connection with the adjacent front side panel 18a and spaced between the lower and upper edges of the side wall panels. In particular, each slot 60' in-the rear side panel 17a may be defined by a generally U-shaped cut in such panel, to leave a tab or, projection 61 extending rearward from and substantially coplanar with the adjacent front side panel 18a. Specifically, the projections 61 extend rearward from and coplanar with the glue flaps 20a, which may be considered part of the front side panels,

Hingedly connected along the upper edge of each rear side panel 17a, as by a horizontal fold or crease 62,

v and extending substantially the entire length of the respective rear side panel, is a flap 63. Each flap 63 is bent, as along the connecting crease 62, to extend inward from the associated panel 17a. The hinged flap connections'or creases 62 are substantially coextensive with the upper edges of the respective panels 17a.

In addition, hingedly connected along the upper edge of the front panel 19a, as by a horizontal fold'or crease 65, and extending substantially the entire length of the front panel, is a flap 66. The flap 66 is bent, as along the connecting crease 65, to extend inward from the associated panel 19a.

The cover 12a has one side edge hingedly connected to the upper edge of the rear panel 16a, as by an integral fold or crease 35a, to connect the cover for swinging movement between the open position of Figure 4 extending outward and rearward from the rear panel,

and the closed position of Figures 5 and 6 extending inward and forward from the rear panel. In the closedcover position, it will be observed that the side edges of the cover extend respectively along and in substantially coextensive contiguity with the upper edges of the side wall panels.

Extending from the cover edges adjacent to the front side panels 18a, with the cover in closed condition, are a pair of cover flaps 36a. Each of the cover flaps 36a is integrally connected to the cover 12 along its respective cover edge by a crease or fold line 37a, and the flaps are bent to depend interiorly of the peripheral wall 11a, each along and in facing engagement with the inner surface of the adjacent front side panel 18a. Each of the flaps 36a is substantially longitudinally coextensive with its hinge connection or crease 3711, which creases each extend from the adjacent end of the rear side edge 70 of the cover toward and terminate adjacent to but short of the adjacent end of the front side edge 71 of the cover. Stated otherwise, each of the cover flaps 36a extends from its rear end edge 72 forward along the crease 37a and terminates at an end fold or crease 39a adjacent to and short of the juncture of front side edge 73 with front edge 71.

Extending from the crease or fold 39a of each cover flap 36a, and normally resiliently biased angularly inward therefrom, is a tab 41a. Each tab 41a may be considered as a forward end extension of the adjacent flap 36a, terminating at its free end proximate to the adjacent juncture of front side edge 73 and front edge 71. Each tab 41a is free of the cover proper and resiliently biased to be normally disposed in inwardly extending angular relation with respect to the associated flap 36a. As best seen in Figure 6, the lower edge of each tab 41a is preferably curved, as at 42a, extending smoothly from the lower edge of flap 36a and curving which latter edge is substantially coplanar with the fold line 37a. H

It may also be seen in Figure 6 that each of the cover flaps 36a has its rear end portion of relatively great depth and taper in the direction from rear end edge 72 toward front .end crease 39a. Projecting longitudinally from each flap 36a at the rear end edge thereof is a relatively stifi tab, extension or projection 75. More specifically, the tab or projection 75 projects from the rear end edge 72 of each cover flap 36a, substantially coplanar with the respective cover flap, and is spaced from the hinged connection or fold line 37a of the respective flap. The rear upward to the substantially straight upper tab edge 43a,

end projection or tab 75 of each flap 36a is spaced from its-fold line or crease 37a a distance approximately equal to thespacing between each slot 60 and its adjacent top panel edge 62. Hence, upon swinging movement of the cover 12a to its closed position, with the flaps 36a disposed inward of respective front side panels 11a, each tab 75 enters into and engages through the adjacent slot 60. This condition is seen inFigures 5 and,6, with the tab 75 projecting rearward through the slot 60 out of the rear side panel 17a.

The use and operation of the embodiment of Figures 4-8 is similar to that described hereinbefore in connection with Figures 1-3 regarding retaining engagement of theftab 41a beneath the panel flap 66. However, the tab and slot structure 75, 60 of the instant embodiment cooperates in a slightly different manner to resist opening of the cover from the construction of Figures l-3. In particular, twisting motion or like distortion of the closed container is effectively resisted by engagement of the tabs 75 in their respective slots 60; and, this resistance to twisting or similar distortion serves to maintain the cover in its closed condition.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a container construction which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and is otherwise well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, distribution and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a hexagonal bottom wall, an upstanding side wall extending about the periphery of said bottom wall and defining six upstanding panels along respective side edges of said bottom wall, a hexagonal cover substantially congruent to said bottom wall having one side edge hingedly connected to the upper edge of one side wall panel for swinging movement between an open position extending outward from said one panel and a closed position extending inward from said one panel with the side edges of said cover extending respectively along and contiguous to the upper edges of said panels, a pair of panel flaps extending inward from the upper edges of a panel adjacent to and the panel opposite to said one panel for underlying engagement with the contiguous portions of said cover when the latter is closed, a cover flap on the side edge of said cover contiguous to the panel intermediate the panels carrying said panel flaps, said cover flap depending along the inner surface of its contiguous panel when said cover is closed, a tab hinged on the end of said cover flap adjacent to said opposite panel for engagement beneath the flap of the latter panel when said cover is closed, and an end tab on the cover flap end remote from said opposite panel and projecting beyond the respective contiguous cover edge and next adjacent cover edge, said panel adjacent to said one panel being formed with a slot receiving said end tab when said cover is closed, to resist opening movement of said cover.

2. A container according to claim 1, in combination with an additional panel flap extending inward from the upper edge of the other panel adjacent to said one panel memes-o for underlying'engag'enient with the contiguous portion of said cover when the latter is closed, an additional hover flap on the side edge of said cover contiguous to the panel intermediate the panel carrying said additional flap and the panel opposite to said one panel, said additional cover flap depending along the inner surface of its contiguous panel when said cover is closed, an additional tab hinged on the end of said additional cover flap adjacent to said opposite panel for engagement beneath the flap of the latter panel when said cover is closed, and an additional end tab on the end of said additional cover flap remote from said opposite panel and projecting beyond the respeetive contiguous cover edge and the next adjacent jeover edge, said other panel adjacent to said one panel being formed with a slotre'ceiving' said additional end tab when said cover is closed, to further resist opening movement of said cover.

3. A container comprising a hexagonal bottom wall, an upstanding side wall extending about the periphery of 'said bottom Walland defining six' upstanding panels along respective side edges of said bottom wall, a hexagonal cover substantially congruent to said bottom wall having one side edge hingedly connected to the upper edge of said one side-wall panel for swinging movement between anopen position extending outward from said one panel and a closed position extending inward from saidone 8 panel Withtlie side edges offsaid exceeding respectively along and contiguous to the up" r edges of said panel's,ithre'e panel flaps extending"inwfidiroin'the upper edges of the panels adjaeemto an the panel opposite to said one panel for underlying eng'ag'ef'ent with the contiguous portions of said cover when the latter is closed, a pair of cover flapson'theside edges of said cover contiguous to the panel's; intermediate the panels cari'ying said panel flaps, said cover flaps depending along the inner surfaces of the contiguous panels 'wheir said cover is closed, and an end tahon the end of each cover flap remote from said opposite panel and projecting beyond the respective contiguous cover edge and next adjacent eover edge, said panels adjacent to said one paneleach being formed with a slot receiving the adjacent end 'tab when said cover is closed; to resist openin movement of said cover. 1

References Citeil'in the tile or this patent UNITED STATES ATENTS 

